Photograph identification



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 8 l. x E M INVENTOR. We-c046 C'l/AMP/bfl 4 rrax/vgr Feb. 27, 1951 N. CHAMPION PHOTOGRAPH IDENTIFICATION Filed Oct. 19, 1949 Feb. 27, 1951 N. CHAMPION PHOTOGRAPH IDENTIFICATION Fil'ed Oct. 19, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. C/mMP/aA A/ECaLs BY Patented Feb. 27, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE "PHOTOGRAPH IDENTIFICATION Necols Champion, :QrangmNaJ.

Application October 19, 1949, Serial N 0. 122,274

'8-=Claims. vl This invention relates to photographvaand particularly to the-identification of photographs.

An obje'c't of the 'invention is to producein a system of the character disclosed'lin my Patents 2,105521 and '2',184','832 of T I938 and 1939, "respectively, certain improvements including "the following: v

"1. An improved, simplified, and "positive means for swinging the apertured shutter bar in both directions; the improved means involving a res'ilient linkage acting positively in both directions of swing, and the elimination of the oblique cam edge and transverse s'lo't controls of my priorpa'tents;

2. "In conjunction with the novel -res'ilient' linkage just referred to, the incorporation into the slide-plate of an adjustable anchor pin for one link of the'resilientlinkage; said anchor pinhaving threaded engagement iwith a threaded hole in the slidep1a"te,'and being rotatable therein in the manner of a swivel "joint, with a pre-determined and 'pre-set relationship to the remainder of the linkagejby'rea'son 'of the pre-adjustedangular relationship between the anchor :pin and its threaded circular bea'ring seat "in the slideplate;

3. Also in conjunction with the novel 'means for sw'ingingthe apertured element into "and out of adjacency to successively inserted negative plates, a novel means for positively locking said apertured element at the opposite end of the swinging motion, that is, in a position insuring firm meshing relationship between the several stencil racks and their respective operating pinions, so that there is no possibility of accidental shift of numbers between successive'settings of the numbering dials.

4. An improved means for actuatingthe brake 'lever'bywhic'h an p'iriions are locked during'the picture-taking portion of the cycle; said improved means comprising double-acting "cam "surfaces on the "slide-plate, which double=acting cam surfaces serve as positive restraints against shifting of the brake lever when'in either of its "extreme positions; there being 'no possibility of *brakerelease except "by actual withdrawal of the film or plate-holder from the camera;

'5. An improved means -'for returning the slidepla'te to-its normal position-upon withdrawal of the film or plate-holder; said improved means including a torsion spring acting as a return lever, in co-operation with 'a non-resilient link -'pivotally attached to "the slide-plate itself; "and ?6.The provision of additional gearing between each stencil-rack and its actuating pinion, and

:fering in appearance and relative actions the incorporation with said gearing of limit- -stops to prevent over-travel of any stencil rack'to'a position beyond the range ofthe aperture, or window, with which it is associated.

'In the accompanying drawing, I have illustrated. the invention as applied to the same general "type of mechanism as isdisclosed in my two prior patents above identified, therefore the disclosures -'of rsaid two patents may be referred to for "a more complete understanding of the basic structure to which the hereindisclosed improve- -ments are applicable, in the form herein specified. It is to be understood/however, that the invention may be embodied in other forms difrom that disclosed herein, provided the described 'str1rctural concepts and principles of operation various inter-acting parts correspondingly shift- Fig. 4 is a'view of the slide-plate, per -see;

'Fig. 5 is a sectional view alongthe line 55 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of the automatic shifting means carried "partly by the slide plate and partly'by the base plate;

Fig.7 shows "the-shifting means as its appears 'at 'the'opposite end of movement -01 the slide mate;

Fig. "8 isasectional View ofthe automatic shifting'means;

Figs. 9'and'10 are'enlarged views of one of the gear sets, "showing the "automatic pin-stop for preventing over-travel; "and "Figs. 11*and'12 showthe relationships'between the's'lide 'plate slots "an'd'the slot-engaging-hooks "by which the brake leveris'actuated.

"Referring "firstto'Figs. 1, 2, and 3, reference ehara'cter F3 designates the base plate, mounted *on 'agenerally rectangular block i l serving as thesuppor't for the entire mechanism, and attac'hable to the camera (not shown) as in my priorpa'tents above'identi'fied; the upper surface of theblock 1'4 serving as a bed upon'which the 'Dlateholder slides asit is inserted into or withdrawn 'fromthe camera. The slide-plate ii'has "a central-slot of su'ffi'cient length to clear the gears and permit its lim'ited motion along the surface 3 of the base plate I3 as the projection I6 is engaged by the plate-holder and carried along by it during the final fraction of the inward travel of the plate-holder. Pinions H are integral with shafts I8 and knobs I9, and mesh with larger pinions, or gears, 20, which in turn mesh with pinions 2 I, the latter being adapted to move the angular strips 22 back and forth within the shutter-bar 23, as the rack-teeth, 24, of these strips 22, are shifted by the inter-meshed teeth of the pinions 2|, to cause the numbers stencilled on the strips to register in succession with their respective windows 25, in the shutter-bar. Shafts I8, extend through the block I4 and turn with the knobs I9, and dials 21 are carried by the shanks of these knobs, so as to turn with their respective knobs and pinion shafts.

The novel means for swinging the apertured shutter-bar 23, in both directions includes the spring-wire links 3i, 32, the former being hooked to a looped wire 33, on the shutter-bar, and the latter being hooked to a looped end on the link 3I, at one end, and wound about an adjustable pivot post 34, prior to entering a diametral slot in a threaded pin 36 (see Fig. 8), carried by the slide-plate, and rotatable in said plate, in the manner of a swivel-pin, as the slide-plate travels along the base-plate; from the Fig. 6 position to the Fig. '7 position (that is, from the Fig. 1 position to the Fig. 3 position) such travel causing the shutter bar to swing through its ninety-degree arc, as shown, that is, from the Fig. 1 position wherein the stencil racks mesh with the pinions 2|, to the Fig. 3, position wherein the shutter bar windows are in parallel adjacency to the surface of the plate on the plate-holder; the latter being of course in picture-taking position as this swinging motion is completed. This swinging operation may be made as positive as necessary by proper adjustment of the post 34, in its plate I3, to apply the required degree of tension to the wound spring-wire serving as the link 32. The anchor-pin 38 is likewise rotatably adjustable in the slide-plate I5, to bring its diametral slot into alignment with the end of link 32. It will then rotate slightly as it moves from the Fig. 6 position to the Fig. 7 position, carrying along with it the end portion of th link 32, and thus causing said link to swing the shutter-bar, as heretofore noted.

The novel means for positively locking the shutter-bar in the Fig. 1 position, during the dial setting period, includes a lock-pin 4| (Fig. 1) registering with a looped wire keeper 42 on the shutter-bar in this position, and thus exerting downward pressure on the stencil racks to prevent their slipping out of mesh with their respective pinions 2I as the dials are turned; the lock-pin 4| being soldered to the slide-plate I5. I

To insure positive operation of the brake-lever 45 in both upward and downward motions, as

well as a positive retention thereof at both eX-' treme positions, the slide-plate I is provided with two cam-slots 46, 41 (Fig. 4) in which ride the toes of a pair of brake-forks 48, 49 integral with the brake-lever the brake-forks being shown in Figs. 1 and. 3. Figs 11 and 12 show more clearly the two opposite extremes of thev cam action; the toe of the brake-fork being in brake-engaging position when raised to the upper horizonta1 portion of the cam-slot (see Fig. 11) and in brake-releasing position when lowered to the lower horizontal portion of the cam-slot (Fig. 12). Hence the action is positive in both directions, and at both rest positions, rather than in only one direction, as in my Patent No. 2,184,832. Pins 50, 5| guide the brake-forks as they ride up and down.

The means for returning the slide-plate I5 to the Fig. 1 position, following withdrawal of the plate-holder from the camera, takes the form of a pair of links 56, 51, one anchored to the plate I5, the other to the plate I3. The latter is of spring-wire, and is wound about the shank of screw 58, mounted in the plate I3 and. constituting means for adjusting the tension of the springwire, hence of the linkage as a whole. Thus it is possible to regulate precis ly the degree of pull to be exerted-on the plate I5 by said linkage, to insure positive return of the plate to the Fig. 1 position when projection I6 of said plate is relieved of the pressure exerted thereon while a plate-holder is in the camera. Slot 59 in plate I3 permits the necessary degree of travel of the projection I6, between its two extreme positions (Fig. 1 and Fig. 3).

The present disclosure, it will be observed also differs from that of my prior patents in the use of four gear sets of three gears per set; the central gears 20, having shanks serving as rolling supports for the plate I5 as it slides thereon, and the other functions being divided between pinions I1 and H of the respective gear sets, rather than loaded entirely upon one pinion per dial, as in my prior patents. Also, the incorporation of radial stop-pins 6| in each central gear (see Figs. 9 and 10) provides an automatic means for preventing over-travel of the stencil strips 22, in either direction; each pin 6|, acting to prevent further rotation of the dial knob associated therewith whenever it abuts either its pinion I! or its pinion 2 I.

To facilitate proper setting of the dials, with the selected dial digits properly centered, I attach to block I4 a centering shield 65 having recesses opposite each dial center, and exactly in line with the lower digits of the dials, when the latter are turned to the correct degree, from one number to the next in succession. Accurate positioning of the corresponding digit stencil, in relation to its window 25, is thus assured.

What I claim is:

1. In a camera negative numbering apparatus of the type including a tiltable shutter bar having windows at spaced points along the length, a plurality of strips stencilled to form a succession of digits registrable with said windows, and means for moving said strips selectively along said shutter bar when the latter is tilted to one extreme angular setting, the combination with said shutter bar of means including a linkage having one element in the form of a torsionally Wound spring for causing said shutter bar to swing from said one angular setting to a second angular setting, in which said windows are adjacent the camera negative.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said shutter bar swinging means includes a pair of plates, one fixed to the camera and one slidable on said fixed plate, and an operating connection between said slidable plate and said torsionally wound spring.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said operating connection consists of an anchor pin carried by said slidable plate, said anchor pin having a recess to receive one end of said torsonally wound spring.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein anchor pin and said slidable plate having registering screw threads causing rotation of said 5 anchor pin as said movable plate slides along said fixed plate.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, including a projection on said slidable plate for abutment by the negative holder as the latter is inserted in the camera; the plate being shifted by the negative holder during such insertion.

6. In a camera negative numbering apparatus of the type including a tiltable shutter bar carrying a plurality of number-bearing strips having gear racks formed thereon, and operating gears adapted to mesh with said racks, the combination with said shutter bar of a keeper element integral therewith, a lock-pin engageable with said keeper element to exert pressure upon said shutter bar in a direction insuring firm meshing relationship between said gears and racks, and a movable plate carrying said lockpin in such a position thereon as to cause said lock-pin to enter said keeper, in one position of said plate.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6, including means on said plate actuated by the negative holder of the camera to move said plate to a position in which said lock-pin said keeper.

8. In a camera negative numbering apparatus of the type including a tiltable shutter bar caris withdrawn from 2 6 rying a plurality of number-bearing strips having gear racks formed thereon, the combination with said shutter bar of a plurality of gear trains having first, second, and third gears, said third gears being engageable with said gear racks, a brake lever having gear teeth engageable with the first gears of said gear trains to lock them against rotation, a plurality of brake forks integral with said brake lever, operating means in-- cluding a plate having cam-slots engaging said brake forks to shift said brake lever in both directions of brake movement, and means including pins projecting radially from the second gears of said gear trains to limit the movement of said 15 gear racks in both directions; said second gears being the central gears of the respective gear trains.

NECOLS CHAMPION.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 Number Name Date 2,105,521 Champion Jan. 18, 1938 2,184,832 Champion Dec. 26, 1939 

